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“Season 25: Oprah Behind The Scenes” Showcases Best Team On T.V.

Mike Vulpo |
March 27, 2011 | 11:46 a.m. PDT

Associate Entertainment Editor

Go behind the scenes of the "Oprah Winfrey Show" courtesy of OWN and ivillage.com
Go behind the scenes of the "Oprah Winfrey Show" courtesy of OWN and ivillage.com
The final season of the “Oprah Winfrey Show” promises to be the season viewers will never forget. Fans expect the final months to be filled with Harpo hookups, Oprah being stunned by special guests, amazing audience giveaways and guests willing to share personal details only to Oprah.

Behind each daily episode is a team that may just work harder than any other daytime talk show. One of Oprah Winfrey Network’s debut series, “Season 25: Oprah Behind The Scenes,” gives an inside look into what occurs behind the cameras. How does Oprah get the guest every network begs and pleads to receive (Marie Osmond after her son’s suicide, the Jackson family include the children, George W. Bush with his memoir, David Arquette post separation)? How does the audience really react when they find out they are a part of Oprah’s final favorite things episode?

Each episode focuses on two “Oprah Winfrey Show” topics from beginning to end. Viewers begin to realize there is a script to be written, long days at the office and the need to receive Oprah’s approval before showtime.

In previous episodes, we have seen producers panic after discovering the mics were not turned on when Oprah and best friend Gayle King were traveling to Yosemite National Park for their camping trip. Another producer had to remind Octomom Nadya Suleman to keep her laugh to a minimum in hopes of being taken more seriously by the audience. Finally, producers became surprised that Oprah found the upcoming show about 30-year-old virgins not a big deal in this American culture.

Oprah is also not afraid to reveal more to her fans. Cameras follow the host in the gym, waking up in her Chicago apartment and eating breakfast in pajamas.

The series reminds talk show viewers that hosts aren’t always the most important ingredient to a successful show. Oprah deserves a lot of credit for what she has been able to accomplish in 25 years. Nonetheless, the amount of labor, dedication and commitment to Oprah and the show shown from the staff is motivating and inspiring. As the final season continues, it’s not all just about Oprah; it’s about her and a team that define and consistently create good quality daytime television.

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